Famous Collectors: Yves Saint Laurent

One theme we are exploring this month is famous collectors and it should be no surprise that some of the most famous pieces of art were once in the possession of famous figures in time. Yves Saint Laurent: notable fashion designer…

…cunning businessman, creative genius and serious art collector.

In the fashion world he made a statement with the “le smoking” jacket, color blocking, and the “shift” dress. In his private life, however, it is said that he was a tormented soul battling depression and drug addiction. He found art to be an uplifting expansion of his creative life, a muse in its own form. Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian, Brancusi, and Duchamp are a few of the names that made up Laurent’s collection. After he passed, his business partner found it only appropriate to see his friend’s collection go to auction, as he thought Laurent’s life is what gave the art meaning. The auction was called the “sale of the century” and garnered over 206 million Euros while breaking seven new world records in art sales. Henri Matisse’s Les Coucous Tapis Bleu et Rose sold for 28 million Euros. The following day the Daily Telegraph headline read: "What recession?"